There will be no justice for survivors of abuse at Prairie Bible Institute.
RCMP say that although 10 former students or staff kids from Prairie Bible Institute reported abuse to the force there are no charges being laid. Given the files were handed over to the Calgary detachment it’s interesting this announcement was made by a member of the Three Hills RCMP.
The Calgary Herald:
Three Hills RCMP Sgt. Joe Sangster said Tuesday police recently concluded their investigation and are planning on providing a public update as early as next week.
He said no charges have been laid and estimated that approximately 10 people came forward to police.
“We investigated every one of those complaints and there’s no information or no evidence to support any charges,” said Sangster.
Approximately 10 people? This is a police force which doesn’t know how many complaints were laid? Not only was abuse reported to police, abuse was also reported directly to Prairie Bible Institute:
PBI president Mark Maxwell said the school’s own review turned up a half-dozen claims of sexual abuse.
How many claims of emotional, physical and spiritual abuse did PBI receive? Abuse was also reported to Calgary Centre Street Church, which brought in by PBI in December as an independent 3rd party. Centre Street Church was let go by PBI in March.
In addition, the Centre Street Church in Calgary was brought in as another place for former students to bring forward complaints and they received “some” since January.
Prairie Bible Institute went to media in November after taking Facebook pages where former PBI attendees gathered to talk about the abuse they suffered while on PBI property to the Three Hills Alberta RCMP. Spiritual and emotional abuse had been talked about, as well as physical and sexual abuse at the 90-year-old institution.
Most of the allegations date back to the 1980s and 1990s, an era when entire families lived on campus and it offered schooling to children as young as kindergarten.
“They were mostly personal, family domestic complaints,” said Maxwell.
They were not forwarded to police, he said.
PBI abuse survivors were not granted the independent third-party they had requested to investigate the school milieu. A board member assigned to survivors quit and some PBI alumni harassed survivors, including a US minister who threatened to sue abuse survivors.
Alumni, under the authority of PBI set up a ‘Healing Team‘ to ‘befriend’ abuse survivors, and while denying it, I believe set a goal to bring survivors to PBI for ‘reconciliation’. To date, information is that the Healing Team brought a U.S. survivor to PBI, which further alienated survivors seeking justice, admissions, investigation transparency and a clear policy by the school.
PBI President Mark Maxwell says,”Most of the allegations date back to the 1980s and 1990s.” Not all. As recently as 2004 PCA (the high school started by PBI) did not report the sexual assault of a student. The parents of the student went to police, the abuser was convicted and PBI paid out about 20 thousand dollars. The case of Carmen Wesley was covered by Global News. She alleged she was sexually assaulted in 2006. PBI did nothing.
There will be no justice, the Canadian criminal justice system cannot help PBI abuse survivors. The only recourse left is civil suits for the few willing to take on a culture at Prairie Bible Institute which harboured criminals , a culture where abuse of various kinds was tolerated. This goes beyond numbers of reports, beyond what was condoned in the past at what was called the Bob Jones University of the north. The culture of the school was so toxic, it is not surprising many who were abused will never come forward. Now that justice has been denied, what is left for those who stood up and did what was right by reporting? It’s likely this will be the only apology PBI abuse survivors see from the institution.
Prairie Bible Institute supposedly took information from the professionals at Centre Street Church and developed an abuse prevention policy the past few months. The school has been in decline financially the past few years and student enrolment is down significantly. The abuse policy is not yet public, one of the requests of PBI abuse survivors is that no student go through the neglect, cover-ups, silence and harassment they have been through. Update: A partial draft policy (Sexual Assault and Rape) is posted at Prairie Bible Institute Open Group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/pbi.open/permalink/321599461259709/
While I did not hold out hope RCMP would be able to bring evidence to the Crown that would warrant charges in one or many cases, this confirmation is heartbreaking.
‘Approximately 10 reports’, ’half-dozen claims’… these reports and claims have names. We are talking about lives. Individuals. One abused is one too many.
Update: What kind of political games are going on with the RCMP?
Three Hills RCMP Sgt. Joe Sangster said Tuesday police recently concluded their investigation and are planning on providing a public update as early as next week.
Oh? And a statement to The Calgary Herald by a secondary RCMP detachment isn’t a public update?
Why were the ‘approximately 10 people’ who reported to RCMP Calgary not informed that RCMP Three Hills was going to release this information yesterday? Is this the kind of treatment victims are supposed to meekly accept? How hard would it have been for the investigators who handled these complaints to have fired off an email to the PBI abuse survivors who trusted they would be treated with dignity and respect?
Is there a political pissing contest between two RCMP detachments going on? Looks that way to me.
I would suggest every survivor who contacted the RCMP call up the investigator you dealt with one more time and take your power back – ask why you were not afforded the dignity of a heads up. It is one thing for the public to learn through media, it is quite another for complainants. I wouldn’t expect an honest answer, but I’d ask anyway – every one of you deserve the opportunity to ask. I don’t believe in shooting the messenger, but I do believe in asking the messenger why, what how, when a serious and important message comes at you second-hand. You aren’t political pawns.
Hear! Hear!!!
PBI is not responsible for PCA’s actions. It would serve the blogger well to know that there is a substantial difference between the two. PBI is under no obligation to interfere with PCA in any way (in the case of Carmen Wesley)… just so you know.
Hi Wanda:
I didn’t say it was, what I did say was PBI founded PCA.
According to the PCA history page, it was founded by PBI and operated as an extension of PBI since 1938.It has gone under the following names: Prairie High School, Prairie Junior High School, and Prairie Elementary School, Prairie Christian Academy.
In 2003 PCI became an alternate school operating under the Golden Hills School Division/Alberta Education.
Interfere?
Who was loco parentis?
What property did the assault take place on?
Who hired the PCA staff and what is their connection to PBI?
Who hired the adult staff who allegedly assaulted Ms. Wesley?
Did that employer notify authorities when it was learned a minor was assaulted by an employee?
Did PCA report the assault to authorities when the assault was brought to their attention?
Are you suggesting parents send their kids to PCA unaware of the fact PCA has roots and ties to PBI?
Wanda:
You said, “In leiu of this from the Herald, I think it is best not to publish the policies. The RCMP has aquitted PBI of any knowledge or wrong-doing and therefore no longer needs to answer to us anymore. IMHO.”
PBI the institution is not criminally responsible for the behaviour of an individual, the individual is.
PBI isn’t criminally responsible for adults who committed crimes against persons, unless there is gross negligence as defined in criminal law.
PBI was sued in 1939 (civil) for negligence.
The RCMP did not and cannot acquit – that is the role of a court, the RCMP can only investigate, the Crown makes the decision whether or not to lay charges and handles the prosecution. PBI was not under criminal investigation – individuals were.
aquit
(Law) (foll by of)
a. to free or release (from a charge of crime)
b. to pronounce not guilty
Canada has two branches of laws – criminal and civil.
The burden of proof is greater in criminal cases, (proof beyond a reasonable doubt) while civil cases operate on a balance of probabilities – was it proven a defendant cause harm or loss?
“…therefore no longer needs to answer to us anymore”
Legally you are correct – PBI has never had an obligation to answer to you.
PBI’s moral and ethical responsibilities rightfully remain under serious discussion.
As I said before:
a) There is no god.
b) god is dead.
c) god is defecating on the faces of the victims. Shame on god and a bible school that is full of violence and sexual abuses!!
After re-reading the Calgary Herald article several times, I was struck by the fact of how many survivors actually came forward: We have 6 that went to Mark, 10 that went to the RCMP, 24 who talked to Tim Tim W Callaway. That is 40 people right there. This does not talk into account the “some” who talked to CSC and the ones who went to the healing team. With those two added, the total is well over 50 survivors. There may be a few that overlap the categories but I don’t think that is the case by and large. So at least half of the 90+ who told me their stories actually took it a step further.
The fact that the Crown will not be prosecuting these cases changes nothing. PBI has a moral obligation and responsibility to the survivors. We will continue to press on until every voice is heard…
There is a significant difference between the evidence required by the Crown Proscecutor Service to lay criminal charges and the burden of proof or reasonableness required for success in a civil litigation.
These two actions should not be confused.
Thank you to Bene and the commenter who clarified the difference between acquitted and not charged.
I see we’re still disputing that Carmen deserves justice. same old bullshit from the same old bullshitter.
Thus saith the Lord, “we can all sit and die; or we can do something. It is time to hit the school, as hard as you can possibly do in order justice can shine forth. What do I mean by action? Can a group of sexual abused victims come forward now and their friends and family and supporters. For a special occasion, have a sit in vigil or a simple media event to release all the dirt that went on behind doors there, bring the school to its knees, and you will have someone calling Linda/Cathy immediately and be willing to negotiate terms. Victories will not fall from sky, and money, I last check, does not grow on trees. The saying is accurate, no angels, gods or demons will save you. You must do this or be forever silent. The time has come, the Homecoming is the perfect event to rouse media attention and alumni attention. Is there anyone on board for this??”
Linda, you assume that each one of those who “reported” an assault are different each time. I assume that some of them went to more than one person, making the total number fewer. You might be right, I might be right. As for Ben Chung, I see you continue to blaspheme the name of the Lord God Almighty.
Dew, I already acknowledged “There may be a few that overlap the categories but I don’t think that is the case by and large.” I still think the number is close to 50 unique survivors. But I won’t quibble the numbers with you – whether 5, 50 or 500, it is still one too many. I don’t see that minimizing the number in any way absolves PBI of its moral responsibility. The bottom line is that atrocities were perpetrated on innocent child in the name of God and religion. And that is what I consider blasphemous!
In the end it is the survivors who suffer. This whole thing reeks of a cult – silence, secrecy, control, intimidation etc. If PBI is in decline financially that can only be a good thing – shut it down.
I love dew! For awhile I thought you play chicken. Yes, I am a Yahu-bable. Please keep me in your prayers!
For the perpetrators that are still alive. Beware, the Lord almightie will strike your toes! Clean up your acts and worship the Lord, I mean so do the right thing! I hope you agree with me about this, dew.
I guess we just have to move on to the next step where civil litigation is brought against PBI. In other similar cases where mission kids etc were abused and all moral responsibility decried by the missions, it was when the lawsuits started adding up that the institutions finally did the right thing and brought in G.R.A.C.E. to mediate.
How grieved is the heart of Father God!
@dew,
i think the blasphemers are those who “speak” for god. let him speak for himself. (and who knows if “him” is even the best symbol to use?)
Thus saith the Lord, even the Lord Ben Chung,
“Do justice and come forth and bow down, o you devil worshipers in the name of my loving Christ. Thou hast said, god is love. No, god is dead, you have all killed him when a little girl was raped in broad day light on the Prairie campus, and you do not rant your clothes and put ashes on your very heads? You who believe in the name of god the merciful and compassionate, you sinners! I say this to you, again, sinners and sins at Prairie will not be forgotten, until the vile deed is paid for, tooth for tooth and eye for an eye. This is the will of the Lord, and be ye aware, sinners, read these words and tremble. The day cometh, even it is now, so saith the Lord, cry out loud to your idols of Jesus and Jehovah, for these are lower class gods, they do nothing, prevented nothing, and art nothing. Come, put the vile deeds away, and wipe the smirk off your face, and crawl on the ground, and plead forgiveness from the victims, and pay for the vile deed, and be counted amongst the prisoners. For hell fire awaits those who violate the children and live a respectful life. May the Lord curse and abuse you. So saith the Lord, Amen.
IMHO, is about money.
PBI will not spend a dime until they are forced to.
Morality and doing the right thing do not enter into the equation.
Not something for past, current, and future graduates to be proud of.
Draft of PBI policy posted on Facebook – Prairie Bible Institute Open Group.
Sexual Assault and Rape
Prairie Bible Institute is firmly committed to a policy that condemns sexual assault, rape, or any type of aggressive sexual behavior. Such acts are a serious violation of person and community. This policy is not only based upon the conviction that the Bible condemns these types of sexual behaviour but is also consistent with provincial and federal laws prohibiting such actions. Therefore, any sexual behaviour which is forced or assaultive will be dealt with as a serious breach of standards of PBI.
Notwithstanding this policy, there may be occasion in which a student or employee is a victim of sexual assault. The following guidelines are intended to address these concerns and recommend appropriate responses.
A. Definition
The term “sexual assault” refers to both physically assaultive behaviour which does not necessarily involve physical contact but does involve verbal threats, intimidations, and/or indecent exposure. It is violence-oriented and hostile. It is considered an act of rape in the province of Alberta if a person engages in sexual intercourse without the consent of the other person by use of physical force, coercion, or threat, actual or implied. A person is unable to consent if he or she is mentally incapacitated, asleep, and physically helpless due to drug or alcohol consumption, or unconscious. Rape occurs when someone forces another person to enter into sexual activity despite objections or reservations.
B. Procedures
The following steps shall be followed for alleged sexual assault or rape:
(a) Any violation of the Criminal Code needs to be reported by PBI to the
appropriate legal authorities, even if the victim does not wish to file a
report.
(b) The victim should inform a family member and/or trusted friend of the
incident for additional emotional support.
(c) The victim shall contact the Harassment Investigative Chair or a
faculty/staff member (e.g. the Dean of Spiritual Formation or Human
Resources) whom she/he trusts. This individual can serve as an
advocate throughout the post-assault period and continue to support
the victim until she/he feels comfortable contacting a support group
or private counselor. Communications between the advocate and the
victim shall be held in absolute confidence except that the President
shall be made aware of all circumstances related to the complaint. The
President shall be entitled to provide information to the appropriate
legal authorities responsible for the administration of justice in the
Province and to notify and act upon the recommendations of next of
kin.
Read the rest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/pbi.open/permalink/321599461259709/
Edited – BD
Bene Diction: I posted the above comment and the above policy on an open group in a site that you are not a part of… or are you??? Who gave you ‘permission’ to use this information?? I didn’t put it ‘out there’ for you to use for your benefit. If this continues, I will refrain from posting all the other parts of the policy as you are not a part of PBI or never was and what I write is not your ‘concern’. I am very disappointed that you would take something that does not ‘belong’ to you and use it to rile people once more… not nice IMHO.
Hi Wanda:
You are correct, you did post the comment and above policy – I apologize for not giving you proper attribution, that was my oversight.
Under Fair Use, I edited and linked. I’ll re-link again.
A PBI policy draft (Sexual Assault and Rape) was posted by Wanda Janz June 21, 10:35 am at Prairie Bible Institute Open Group on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pbi.open/permalink/321599461259709/
To answer your question – I’m not a member of the FB group.
As for what you post and don’t post – that is your choice.
As for permission from you, that is not required.
I’m sorry you are disappointed.
I think it is reassuring to people to see that a draft policy exists, and that folks can have input into it. This is a good first step.
It’s ok. It just threw me for a loop, that’s all. I was shocked to find it here. I do hope that you would at least acknowledge that PBI is also fine-tweaking this policy to keep all the staff and students as safe as can be. It would help to also know that both Linda Fossen’s and Catherine Darnell’s input has been asked to also fine-tweak it. Hopefully now and in the future, those who are experiencing abuse in their own homes will come forward at the time, find strength in their voices, and put a stop to this horror sooner rather than see little to no justice years and years later. It is sad for those who will find no justice here on earth… it is a hard pill to swallow. I know it is. Thanks for responding, Bene… I appreciate it very much.
In response to this comment by Bene Diction: “I would suggest every survivor who contacted the RCMP call up the investigator you dealt with one more time and take your power back – ask why you were not afforded the dignity of a heads up. It is one thing for the public to learn through media, it is quite another for complainants. I wouldn’t expect an honest answer, but I’d ask anyway – every one of you deserve the opportunity to ask. I don’t believe in shooting the messenger, but I do believe in asking the messenger why, what how, when a serious and important message comes at you second-hand. You aren’t political pawns.”
I just faxed a written complaint to the RCMP protesting that I was not informed about my case being closed and that I had to find it out from the media. There is no excuse for this and although I cannot change what was done, hopefully my complaint will have an effect of future survivors who report their abuse. When I got the call from the reporter and was told my case was closed without any prior notification from the RCMP, I don’t mind telling you that it hurt. I sobbed.
To file a written complain go to the following link and fill out the form. If you are in the US, this automated form does not work. Just get in touch with me and I will email you the form that you can fill out and fax to them.
This was a very empowering experience for me and I hope that all of the survivors who were not informed will also do the same. We did not deserve the disrespect. Again to every survivor who contacted the RCMP, I honor you for your courage.
I would like to raise a salient point. Everyone knows by now that something happened 30 years ago cannot be prosecuted. Unless this predator kept on going and there are numerous complaints. But wait, I do not see a thousand of them coming forward to accuse some of these precious souls that the Lord Jesus has saved and ‘sanctified.’ So what do we do now? Hmmm…. we can try the Jesus method to forgive them? I think that since Jesus was not sexual abused, and he was not married, we should not have high hope that he knows what to do with sexual molested victims. If he were God, that is a different matter, but if that were true, then he cannot be passionate since God has no passion and cannot change. That is our classical Christian theology. You may disagree as a protestant, and as an evangelical. But your god has a lower class status. The God I refer to is seldom found here. He cannot be fathom, and he is not human.
But let that go. What can we do now? The Law has its limitations. I do not see justice possible, and yet our victims cannot go away. Hmmm that is a problem. May I suggest here that unless you as a group of victims are willing to sit out there and picket and walk the walk, to demand a human justice, perhaps this is all about horse flies. They come around, and sting a bit, but at the end, they go away in the winter and die. Is that what you want? Maybe dew is right, (where is dew when I need ya), that people should fear god and accept sexual molestation as a gift from god. Fear god and no matter what he does to you, and ‘allow’ to happen to you for a very very godly purpose, since you have a free will, so abuse is a gift (free will) from god. You may be shocked and angry at this statement. But in your lives, you actually agree with what I just said. Now, as the Lord, the Lord Ben Chung, I think that is crap, none of it is true. But the lower class god in the evangelics, is very vengeful, just that he is no where to be found. That is our problem, you see, this is a hard problem, and we keep on visiting the same old crap. Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Same old old cycle. Same old religious whores, offering a sweet pie in the sky, whether it is from Prairie. Or it is from an inner Prairie that people are afraid to throw out, or both. It all for the glory of god, that when semen flow from the mouth of a small child, that rip clothes and bloody scene. It all is for the gory of god. I am not sure why god has not shown up to take his responsibility. Maybe we ought to dance and cry out loud and shout and lash ourselves, maybe he is on the journey, or asleep, or defecating in the bathrooms. I don’t know, but if you follow my logic, which I am trying to use this to illustrate the absurdity of it all. A bible school, preaching ‘love’ actually practice sex with minors, and a god who is also love, actually signed off and and allowed it to happened so many bloody times, and a set of religious whores, for their jobs’ sake had to give out Koolaid and fool others to hold things off, to forgive and to forget. All these are absurd, and why god has not struck anyone down, but will strike me instead of these actual sexual animals, that too, is absurd and this is the logic of dew. Maybe dew can have an epiphany moment, and invite Jesus, Mary and Joseph to all come and explain this to my pea brain. I hope it makes sense, let me start again, god is love and full of love, and sexual predators at Prairie are full of physical love and lots of semen, and there are lots of old small child also full of love and love the lord and god almightie and afraid to speak for the fear that god’s reputation and his school Prairie will be harmed in the process. It is absurd, it is like the sickness unto death. Where art thou, my Kierkegaard? Is thy premature death a loss to the christendom that thou actually attacked? RIP. Amen.
Pingback: On covering the dead elephant in the busiest intersection in town | Bene Diction Blogs On
I agree with MEC, sort of: Couldn’t the victims file a civil suit against each person that abused them? Now that would be awesome!! If you abuse us, we will take whatever you have financially… could work. At least it would be a start. Just think of the OJ case; he was found innocent but the families of the victims went after his pocketbook. I’m not saying you would win…. but you could sure send out a message to him/her and those like them. Also, you could maybe bring others forward who experienced the same crap… that would also be another win!
I still wound never, ever recommend that my children or anyone who I cared about attend PBI.
It is about leadership for me, or lack thereof. IMHO the leadership team at PBI sets an extremely poor example for the future leaders of tomorrow.
Many years ago, there lived an old man who has a control over many young men who worked for him. He would send them out to anyone who disputed his authority, or mocked him, and by befriending this unfortunate one, then to kill him. These young men became known as the “Hasashin” or assassin.
The moral of the story should be, there ought to be hasashins in every school, if anyone sexually abused little kids, take that one out, so I can regain my faith in god. Amen.
No one will answer Bene about PCA, let me give you some answers.
First of all, PCA is the brain child of Jon Ohlhauser, the infamous, much hated past president of Prairie. He did not want to have this burden, and so he kicked it to the state ans forced the release of the General Ed. in 2003. I was there, I was forced to vote this way while others and many on lookers were shocked at this heartless approach. I love my high school, I spent many useless nights talking to officials of the school, including Mr. Dobson, and whoever was in that development office, and the alumni director of the PCA. Jon changes people in that office quicker than diapers.
PCA is not a school on its own ground, that is, although he have the former elementary school, the old High school building in on PBI campus and they lease it from PBI, they also lease the infamous Rick Down Sports Centre which is next to the high school, amd also the HS chapel. The dorm kids use PBI’s CM dorm.
So, in many cases, the sexual abuses would happen on the PBI campus, and PCA may be in the tenant. In the case of Carmen Wesley, the rape took place right in the Dinning Hall area by Prairie staff, and the Girls Dean Sheila Atkins is in charge of the dorm girls who live on PBI campus. There is no way to separate PBI from the responsibility of the rape esp. if the PBI staff did the atrocity, Atkins did nothing, other than isolating the victim, provide rumours about her and others rumours about it being a consensual sex. I mean, where do you start?
All I can say is the curses that come out of my lovely mouth, and my godless atheism to a god that condones this rape and do nothing.
I hope this makes sense to you, Bene.
” although he have the former elementary school,”
correction, “although they have the former elementary school building now…”
As for the hiring, initially, PCA was released as General Ed of Prairie. The Board members are all tied to the school. I think there is a lot of control that PBI still exert over PCA. I see that people who are on the board are tied to Prairie either as an alumni, or their spouse work or worked for Prairie, and a lot of students are from bible college, or staff. Although technically it is under the Golden Hills district. In reality, I suspect Prairie is the biggest bully and can easily muscle the school into any direction it chooses. That was the power of Jon Ohlhauser. I suspect because he has a germanic background, he is not open to discussion, he dictates, thus the fate of mu high school was sealed.
I suspect my classmate Mike Olver may have hired the young rapist. I do not know how this works, but I think the human resource put up a wanted and he responded. He must be trained to work in the dinning hall area, and that Mike is the main person. He may or may not have heard of the rape till much later. Of course, if this young rapist did a piss poor job, he would have to be fired, and again dinning hall director may be involved. If Mike could clarify this for all here, that would be fine. I am not sure he would, he was trained like I was, as a fundamentalist and they do not talk.
Thanks Ben. To an outsider such as myself it is apparent the personnel at PCA remain connected to PBI.
If the RCMP will do nothing to expose the truth behind the allegations of abuse at Prairie (which I don’t get with the number of reports), perhaps the media such as the CBC needs to do some investigative journalism and air their findings for all to see. It’s really a no-brainer. No different than the Boy Scouts scandal (which the CBC documented its findings on) or the Catholic church history of rape; the organization’s leaders refused to acknowledge that abuse was happening or do anything about it. These type of organizations are a perfect set up for predatory rapists and it would have likely continued unabated had the media not dove in for a closer look.
Marina, if you know of any contact in the CBC, please let me know. I am all ears. Have them contact me – Just google my name and they can find my website to email me.
I am seriously thinking of organizing a class action lawsuit against Linda Fossen for false criminal accusations that have been unproven under past and current Canadian legislation. I am thinking of a starting point of $100 million to compensate the victims of Linda Fossens’s unproven & baseless criminal claims and supported by the recent independent RCMP investigation. The amount could go much higher as not even one claim has been substantiated by the RCMP and innocent lives have been devastated. I will determine if such a class action lawsuit should proceed and if 100 million is even adequate as a starting point. I will seek legal counsel shortly.
Bene: Is this what hate is about? What is Brother Don doing here, and how is it that he can threaten someone here like Brother Fred? Thanks, Uncle Ben.
The more I think of it, the more I think 100 million is entirely inadequate given the FACTS of all the allegations. Ruined innocent lives, no confirmed legislated RCMP confirmation whatsoever to PBI abuse involving even ONE case despite 100+ unsubstantiated PBI allegations that have proven unmerited in even ONE case, wild accusations having no merit in a court of law, please fill in the blank…. I will not sleep well tonight, thinking $100,000,000 will not even be a reasonable starting point. What is the value of a ruined life by false criminal accusations? We will find out shortly….
It’s a free country Don, you can organize a class action lawsuit against anyone you want.
Keep in mind, you lose, you pay – good luck finding a lawyer to take your case, and good luck finding fellow defendants.
Whose life has been ruined Don?
Yours?
How?
What are your ties to PBI?
What does this mean?
“…false criminal accusations that have been unproven under past and current Canadian legislation.”
You have provided no evidence for your claims, or that you have a clue about legalities.
The bible says be angry and sin not, and don’t let the sun go down on your wrath…
if you can’t sleep, seems to me you have a some sin to struggle with.
Ben, Don’s threats have to be disturbing to PBI survivors, and I’m taking that into consideration. However, the more Don comments, I see all hat and no cattle.
Don,
Who died and made y0u the defender of the guilty (PBI)? Stand back and let justice prevail-let the accused speak for themselves- may God forgive you for your slander of the truly abused and those who rightfully seek justice and healing.
Don’t buy into Don’s superficial reverse psychology. Don thinks hmmmm I believe Linda has cause undue stress on unnamed and unidentified individuals by saying she is going to pursue a lawsuit agains Prairie. Ah Ha let me threaten her with one, for justice ‘s sake. Don this is not kindergarten, time to grow up and act accordingly
May I recommend a reading for “Don”:
“I broke my trunk” By Mo Willems.
Apparently excessive litigiousness is acceptable in the christian circles Don runs in.
I shall make popcorn and watch with great interest as he gathers those Linda has NOT named and starts a lawsuit. It may in fact be one way to get the rest of the perps named and out there. I mean, there can be no class action lawsuit with one grumpy little bear!!!
So, go on Don, do your worst. Your ignorance has already found you out and now you’re just an entertaining little creep.
Since “Don” speaks Christianese, so I will attempt to communicate with him in Christianese.
“Is it not shameful that you will take each other to courts? Do you not know that you will judge the twelve tribes of Israel? Do right therefore, and judge it amongst yourselves. Do not make me come and be ashamed of you, Don. You are God, and judge righteously, lest you will die like mortals. Amen.”
I would just like to have an answer from any “follower of Christ,” whose motto is “To know Christ and make him known,” or something similar. My question is, what do you do with Christ’s words in Luke 17:1-2 (also repeated in Matthew and Mark):
“It is impossible but that offences will come; but woe unto him through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
No equivocating, rationalizing, or “but read THIS scripture instead,” just a simple answer, please.
And for Don and others who are thinking the same sort of thoughts, how do you explain the passage in Matthew 18 that includes, “…in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established…”?
Are there not enough witnesses for you? There have been more than “two or three” who have come forward, yet you say there is no “evidence”? Of course there’s rarely evidence of sexual assault. The abusers make sure of that. Even if there is physical evidence that a rape has occurred, the rape survivor is usually too traumatized to report soon enough to provide evidence. Educate yourself on the dynamics of this crime before you speak, please.
There was no “evidence” of the sexual assault I experienced at PBI by a staff member in 1961. I told three people I trusted at the time, and each one thought I had “misunderstood.” I knew, and still know, what happened. It was a sexual assault, plain and simple. No “evidence.” No witnesses. His word against mine. Now go and file your silly lawsuit against me too.
Angelyn, your voice is so strong! What is a delight to hear your resolve – I love it!
Here is my Christianese:
“The Lord says to my Lord, sit on my right hand until I made your enemies a footstool for your feet!
“Out of Zion, the scepter will stretch, smash the head of the whole earth!
“He will drink from the brook by the wayside, and will lift his head!”
Here saith the Lord, you Don, fear God and obey hos commandments! Lest I come and smash the whole earth.” Amen. May the Lord add blessings to his word.
Pingback: Prairie Bible Institute releases statement on closed Facebook group | Bene Diction Blogs On
Draft of PBI policy psteod on Facebook Prairie Bible Institute Open Group.Sexual Assault and Rape Prairie Bible Institute is firmly committed to a policy that condemns sexual assault, rape, or any type of aggressive sexual behavior. Such acts are a serious violation of person and community. This policy is not only based upon the conviction that the Bible condemns these types of sexual behaviour but is also consistent with provincial and federal laws prohibiting such actions. Therefore, any sexual behaviour which is forced or assaultive will be dealt with as a serious breach of standards of PBI. Notwithstanding this policy, there may be occasion in which a student or employee is a victim of sexual assault. The following guidelines are intended to address these concerns and recommend appropriate responses.A. Definition The term “sexual assault” refers to both physically assaultive behaviour which does not necessarily involve physical contact but does involve verbal threats, intimidations, and/or indecent exposure. It is violence-oriented and hostile. It is considered an act of rape in the province of Alberta if a person engages in sexual intercourse without the consent of the other person by use of physical force, coercion, or threat, actual or implied. A person is unable to consent if he or she is mentally incapacitated, asleep, and physically helpless due to drug or alcohol consumption, or unconscious. Rape occurs when someone forces another person to enter into sexual activity despite objections or reservations.B. Procedures The following steps shall be followed for alleged sexual assault or rape:(a) Any violation of the Criminal Code needs to be reported by PBI to theappropriate legal authorities, even if the victim does not wish to file areport.(b) The victim should inform a family member and/or trusted friend of theincident for additional emotional support.(c) The victim shall contact the Harassment Investigative Chair or afaculty/staff member (e.g. the Dean of Spiritual Formation or HumanResources) whom she/he trusts. This individual can serve as anadvocate throughout the post-assault period and continue to supportthe victim until she/he feels comfortable contacting a support groupor private counselor. Communications between the advocate and thevictim shall be held in absolute confidence except that the Presidentshall be made aware of all circumstances related to the complaint. The President shall be entitled to provide information to the appropriate legal authorities responsible for the administration of justice in the Province and to notify and act upon the recommendations of next of kin.
I don’t know if this is the right post for this comment or not, but I have been following this story for some time, and I have a question for Linda and anyone else from the OPEN group on FB. IF, as some claim, the purpose for naming perps is to protect the children from them, then WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF NAMING PERPS WHO ARE ALREADY DEAD OR CLOSE TO DEATH? After all, that does not meet the purpose of protecting anyone, and if anything, it can harm other relationships/memories, perhaps even unnecessarily hurt a dying person or their family.
I would be happy to answer that Dew. Naming the perps serves two purposes: protecting children and validating victims. As for harming the relationships/memories or causing unnecessary hurt to a dying person or their family, that is none of my concern. The perp should have thought of that when they abused the child. That is what makes abuse so insidious – it affects the child and many other people. When a survivor comes forward they are merely putting the shame and guilt back on the perp and refusing to carry a burden that was never their’s to carry in the first place.
Stay tuned – we have many more perps to name…